HRC President Joe Solmonese Sounds Off on DADT Vote

After Republican senators stalled the repeal of DADT yesterday by blocking lawmakers from moving forward with the National Defense Authorization Act, HRC President Joe Solmonese sounded off on the failure of some senators to honor our brave men and women in uniform, and what HRC and our allies will do to ensure that our nation’s service members are treated with dignity and respect.

“I can’t help but think of the 14,000 veterans discharged under ‘Don’t Ask Don’t Tell’ since 1993 and the nearly 70,000 gay, lesbian, and bisexual service members who continue to selflessly serve in silence,” he wrote. “They have been waiting for the Senate – for their country – to come through for them, to allow them to finally serve openly, honestly, and with the full integrity their uniform demands.”

Several paths lay ahead as we move forward from yesterday’s vote. Senator Reid has pledge to return to the bill when the Senate returns after the elections. Additionally, HRC has called upon the Attorney General not to appeal a recent District Court decision that declared “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” unconstitutional.

“While we continue to fight to get the Defense bill over the finish line, now it’s the Attorney General’s turn to stand on the right side of history. “ added Solmonese.

We urge you to sign our petition to let Attorney General Eric Holder know that we want to see an end to this law. While the Senate’s decision has disappointed us all, we must continue to do everything that we can to end this terrible law.